President Trump on Thursday angrily denied a report in The Atlantic that he denigrated U.S. service members, calling it “fake news” and a “disgrace” and suggesting the author and his sources are “liars.”
“If they really exist, if people really exist that would have said that, they’re low lifes and they’re liars. And I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes. There is nobody that respects them more,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews after a campaign stop in Pennsylvania Thursday evening.
“So, I just think it’s a horrible horrible thing. It made a great evening into frankly a very sad evening when I see a statement like that. No animal, nobody, what animal would say such a thing?” Trump continued.
The Atlantic, citing multiple anonymous sources, reported Thursday that Trump cancelled a trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris, France, in 2018 because he worried his hair would be disheveled by the rain.
Trump also reportedly asked senior staff during a meeting before the planned visit: “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.”
The magazine also reported that Trump referred to U.S. Marines who were killed at Belleau Wood during World War I as “suckers” because they died.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Trump claimed that he wanted to go to the cemetery in France but was unable to because of heavy rainfall in Paris, and that the U.S. Secret Service would not allow him to motorcade there.
“The Secret Service told me, you can’t do it. I said I have to do it. They said you can’t do it,” Trump said. “Now somebody makes up this horrible story that I didn’t want to go.”
The Atlantic also reported that Trump told senior staff he wouldn’t support the funeral of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who he also called a “loser,” and grew angry when he saw flags at the White House lowered at half-staff to recognize the senator.
Trump has publicly criticized McCain, who was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, including during his 2016 presidential campaign when then-candidate Trump said he preferred people “who weren’t captured.” He has also publicly called him a “loser.”
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- Discussion
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#BREAKING: Trump denies report he called US service members buried in France "losers," "suckers" https://t.co/FlLK4CQ9mr pic.twitter.com/1LZGSsbXOI
— The Hill (@thehill) September 4, 2020
The AP has confirmed the accuracy of this extraordinary article. The White House has denied it. It could shatter perceptions of the President among the military. A recent Army Times poll showed declining support for him. https://t.co/4Qs6B91T8a
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) September 4, 2020
Not one source. Four sources "with firsthand knowledge" say he said this: https://t.co/ct5RRvprpi
— David French (@DavidAFrench) September 3, 2020
These “anonymous” sources need to step forward. Now.
Every Trump or Team Trump denial of the @JeffreyGoldberg story makes it more important that those who were present to hear Trump's statements speak out on the record. The stakes could not be higher for the country. If they have any sense of duty it requires they step up now.
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) September 4, 2020
This shit is all hands on deck for the WH/Trump campaign right now. Blood is in the water.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) September 4, 2020
The Post's account actually finds an anecdote even worse than those reported by @JeffreyGoldberg https://t.co/K9OB7DahTV pic.twitter.com/LTsZeY57Fv
— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) September 4, 2020
Agreed, Granny. You and I and so many others believe there is at least some measure of truth to this story, especially in view of Trump’s well documented attitude toward the late Senator McCain. But this practice in journalism today of relying on anonymous sources with no hard evidence to back up a story makes all these news stories suspect. Without proof they are all easily denied by Trump and we can be sure he will deny them and get away with it.
Definitely, we need these anonymous sources to come forward and do it now. Why they haven’t is a mystery to me. Oh I know some, like John Bolton, wanted to save their stories for books they are writing or intend to write (the profit motive). But about the rest? Is it cowardice? I can’t imagine John Kelly would be afraid to do the right thing. Kelly is no longer Chief of Staff, so there isn’t a job saving motive behind it. Any of these witnesses — if they are still working for Trump, is their job worth hanging onto to protect this scumbag? Why would they want to protect him? Only thing I can think of is that they and/or their families were threatened with physical harm. Perhaps they think if they come forward, there would be no one to protect them. I can see them not trusting federal law enforcement (FBI) and I sure as heck wouldn’t trust Trump’s lapdog in the Justice Department, Bill Barr.
There has to be someone with the guts to come forward. Maybe that’s easy for me to say since I’m not a Trump employee and never have been. But Trump has to fall and fall hard. I’m no longer satisfied wit Trump losing re-election. I want him ruined.
There’s also the fact that the AP and WaPo have confirmed the essential claim in the Atlantic’s reporting: https://t.co/b5lLKxHIWJ
— Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) September 4, 2020
Mr. President, this is not true. You were angry that DHS notified federal buildings to lower the flags for Sen. McCain. I would know because your staff called and told me. https://t.co/C28fqZ4Whu
— Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) September 4, 2020
Please watch. From @votevets. pic.twitter.com/YkjI7XBjfJ
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 4, 2020
We're suckers if we keep him in office.
.@deAdder for Lincoln Project. pic.twitter.com/6ejEjkbv54
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 4, 2020
I think The Atlantic's sources should go on the record when making such heavy claims but it is hilarious to watch people with Qanon slogans in their bios freak out about anonymous sources. What do you think the "anon" part of your conspiracy theory's name stands for?
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) September 4, 2020
COUNTERPOINT: No one who doesn't already believe it would believe it simply because they went on the record; the people who are saying ANONYMOUS SOURCES right now would just shift to DISGRUNTLED EX-STAFFERS. https://t.co/DoP9uItbtb
— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) September 4, 2020
#BREAKING: Joe Biden blasts Trump over reported comments on military: "When my son volunteered and joined the United States military… he wasn't a sucker! The servicemen and women he served with, particularly those who did not come home, were not losers!" pic.twitter.com/q3FgSuVRri
— The Hill (@thehill) September 4, 2020
Anonymous sources are bad, mmkay, unless they're helping out State TV. https://t.co/EzjoH5XtJq
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 4, 2020
Much being made of why former or current Trump administration officials won’t go on the record. As someone who has occasionally quoted such sources in essays, the reasons they have given me for anonymity include concern for their personal safety and that of their families.
— Tom Wright (@thomaswright08) September 4, 2020
When I was 5, Reagan sent me a signed poster of Nancy laying flowers at Theodore Roosevelt Jr’s grave. He wrote how moved he had been in the presence of so many fallen hero’s.
At 5, I did not understand why the President would do this. I now know, it is how you lead a nation. pic.twitter.com/QgqciSZwbb
— Ted Roosevelt V (@RooseveltTed) September 4, 2020
NEW: On WWI commemoration trip, Trump fancied several pieces art at US ambassador’s historic residence in Paris, where he was staying—and on a whim had a portrait, bust and figurines loaded onto AF1, sources tell @nwadhams and me. Figurines now on mantel in Oval. Story out soon. pic.twitter.com/WfJ3ZOjkTK
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 6, 2020
So Tom Wright confirms what I suspected — that these anonymous sources may have been threatened with bodily harm and harm to their families. Seems to fit. Trump has run his businesses and now the White House much like an organized crime family. I suspect his adult children and Jared are part of it all too. We know Trump will threaten anyone who is disloyal with protracted litigation. It’s plausible he could make other, more sinister threats as well.
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